I was thinking about picking up the ScanGauge II. As you all know, the gauges on 1st gen Tacomas are lacking. There are only 4 gauges, RPM, Speedo, Fuel, Engine Temp.

I found there to be a few options that would come in handy on the ScanGauge. I like to be able to keep track of other things going on in the vehicle. So I guess my question here is, before I drop the $160 or so, is it really worth it to buy the ScanGauge II? Is there something better out there?

Have you looked at the Ultragauge? Seems to do everything the scangauge 2 does at about half the price.

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I have the UG, and am reasonably happy with it, but it has some serious drawbacks over the SG.

First and foremost, if you mount it in any way where the cable is semi-permanent, you're stuck. The cable does not disconnect from the UG. Mine is mounted above my mirror and the cable routed under the headliner and down the A-Pillar.
If I were parking at the airport for a week and wanted to remove it and leave it at home, I'd have to pull the pillar cover and remove the entire cable.
Scangauge unplugs so you can take it with you every time you park. That's a BIG drawback on the UG because from the outside of the truck, it looks similar to a GPS.

Buttons are on the back, so you can't flush surface mount it. It has to be elevated above the mounting surface enough to get your fat fingers behind it.

Features....
I'm not aware of the features/limitations of the two devices on 1st-Gen, but on 2nd Gen, trans temp and some other readings are not available on the UG, but are on the SG.

Yes, the SG is 3x the price, but IMHO, it is a better unit and worth it.
Some day, I might upgrade mine to an SG and move the UG to my wife's Rav4.

I have the UG, and am reasonably happy with it, but it has some serious drawbacks over the SG.

First and foremost, if you mount it in any way where the cable is semi-permanent, you're stuck. The cable does not disconnect from the UG. Mine is mounted above my mirror and the cable routed under the headliner and down the A-Pillar.
If I were parking at the airport for a week and wanted to remove it and leave it at home, I'd have to pull the pillar cover and remove the entire cable.Scangauge unplugs so you can take it with you every time you park. That's a BIG drawback on the UG because from the outside of the truck, it looks similar to a GPS.

Buttons are on the back, so you can't flush surface mount it. It has to be elevated above the mounting surface enough to get your fat fingers behind it.

Features....
I'm not aware of the features/limitations of the two devices on 1st-Gen, but on 2nd Gen, trans temp and some other readings are not available on the UG, but are on the SG.

Yes, the SG is 3x the price, but IMHO, it is a better unit and worth it.
Some day, I might upgrade mine to an SG and move the UG to my wife's Rav4.

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That pretty much made up my mind right there. I want to be able to detach it, I want to mount it flush if need be and I want to make use of all the features.

I like the Scangauge. It is more adaptable to different vehicles. You can program in settings that don't come pre-loaded, in case your vehicle uses more sensors that only its ECU sees but are no gauges for. The Ultragauge cannot do that.

I like the Scangauge. It is more adaptable to different vehicles. You can program in settings that don't come pre-loaded, in case your vehicle uses more sensors that only its ECU sees but are no gauges for. The Ultragauge cannot do that.

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There are a lot of gauges the UG can access that are not on the dash.
I routinely monitor the exact engine temp, and also the intake air temperature.
Oil pressure is one that it can't do, but I believe there is no linear OP sensor. Trans temp is available, but UG doesn't read it.

Now.. this is for 2nd Gen. I don't know what may be lacking in 1st Gen.

I like the Scangauge. It is more adaptable to different vehicles. You can program in settings that don't come pre-loaded, in case your vehicle uses more sensors that only its ECU sees but are no gauges for. The Ultragauge cannot do that.

There are a lot of gauges the UG can access that are not on the dash.
I routinely monitor the exact engine temp, and also the intake air temperature.
Oil pressure is one that it can't do, but I believe there is no linear OP sensor. Trans temp is available, but UG doesn't read it.

Now.. this is for 2nd Gen. I don't know what may be lacking in 1st Gen.

2nd Gen, absolutely. Once you get the unit calibrated it can replace your speedo, odo, and fuel gauge.

Of course, you'll need a GPS to calibrate any of these units.

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Ah good point, I forgot you were talking about a second gen. I wonder what is lacking with the first gens.